Description

Hey Hungry Friends! You know those nights when cooking feels impossible? This cozy one-pan wonder swoops in like a weeknight superhero. Imagine creamy orzo, juicy rotisserie chicken, garlicky spinach, melted Monterey Jack, and crispy fried onions—all baked to bubbling, golden perfection. Minimal dishes, maximum comfort, and big flavor in under an hour!

Ingredients

Scale

1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken with herbs (sub cream of mushroom for veggie version)
16 oz sour cream (or Greek yogurt, but add extra herbs)
2½ cups chicken stock (homemade or low-sodium recommended)
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp all-purpose seasoning* (equal parts salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika)
3 cups fresh spinach (or 1½ cups thawed, squeezed-dry frozen spinach)
16 oz dry orzo pasta
3 cups freshly grated Monterey Jack cheese (pepper jack for heat lovers)
2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded (save drippings for stock if available)
1 (6 oz) can crispy fried onions (French’s style)

Instructions

Step 1 — Prep

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place rack in the center for even cooking.

Step 2 — Mix the Base

In a large oven-safe skillet or 9×13″ baking dish, whisk together:

Cream of chicken soup
Sour cream
Chicken stock
Garlic
All-purpose seasoning
Taste and adjust salt or pepper if desired.

Step 3 — Build the Bake

Stir in:

Orzo pasta
Spinach (watch it wilt as you mix)
Chicken
2 cups shredded cheese

Step 4 — Bake Covered

Cover tightly with foil (essential for steaming the orzo). Bake for 30 minutes, no peeking!

Step 5 — Golden Finish

Uncover, stir gently, scraping any sticky bits from edges (flavor jackpot!). Top with:

Remaining 1 cup cheese
All crispy fried onions

Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes until bubbly and onions are golden brown. Watch closely to prevent burning!

Step 6 — Rest & Serve

Let sit 5 minutes to thicken. Scoop straight from the skillet and enjoy with your favorite salad or crusty bread.

Notes

✅ Spinach wilts in the mix—no need to pre-cook.
✅ Freshly grated cheese melts smoother—skip pre-shredded if possible.
✅ Seal foil well to steam orzo perfectly—steam = creamy texture.
✅ Use leftover roast chicken or turkey for variety.
✅ Fried onions go on LAST for maximum crunch.

Nutrition

Calories: 450 Cal Per Serving Approx
Fat: 24g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Protein: 24g